This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

Jose Bautista, Toronto: The Blue Jays’ right fielder is still finding his groove since returning to the lineup Thursday after suffering a sprained left knee on Aug. 9. A free-agent-to-be in November, Bautista has had success in his career against the Orioles and is a lightning rod for emotions on both teams whenever they clash. Bautista has 25 homers, 85 RBIs and an .868 OPS in 128 games vs. the O’s.

Manny Machado, Baltimore: The Orioles third baseman is one of the top five candidates for the AL MVP award, given his combination of Gold Glove defence and consistently excellent offence. Machado has scored 90 runs and driven in 81, with 38 doubles, 31 homers and a .922 OPS. Against the Jays this year, Machado has a .388 average, with three homers, eight RBIs and a 1.179 OPS.

Need to know: The Jays passed the Orioles on Aug. 12 and have held top spot, or a share of it, for 16 straight days . . . The Jays are 7-6 against Baltimore this year (5-2 at Rogers Centre; 2-4 at Camden Yards), including 4-3 in one-run decisions. The Jays have outscored the O’s 77-64 . . . The Jays were 11-8 vs. the O's last year, including 5-5 at Camden Yards. The Jays are 317-277 lifetime against the Orioles, including 141-158 in Baltimore and 102-100 at Camden Yards.

More from the Toronto Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com